Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

On December 14, 2023, the Rotary Club of Brockville and the Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands presented local community leaders with Paul Harris Fellows.  The Paul Harris Fellow Program was first established by Rotary International in 1957 and a Paul Harris Fellow is the highest recognition a Rotary Club can give out.  It is presented to a Rotarian or a member of the community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community.  Those persons recognized includes Susan Brister - Past President, Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands; Tom Russell - Executive Director of the 1000 Islands Community Development Corp.; OPP Constable Craig Kelso; Rotarian Monique Homer; and Jason Baker - Former Mayor of Brockville and Co-owner of Ketchum Manufacturing.  

 

 

On Friday, April 12, as the rain poured from the skies outside, inside the Brockville General Hospital, the Rotary Club of Brockville President Bruce Leslie (right), presented a $2,000 cheque to Executive Director Trish Buote (middle) and Administrative Manager and Ride the River Event Coordinator Emily Maskell, (left), on behalf of Rotary Brockville. These funds along with more raised through Ride the Rider campaign will be used to purchase new hospital beds. Join others to Ride the River on Sunday, May 26, at 8 a.m., along the picturesque parkway, while donating to a worthy cause. 

 

 

 

A $1,000 cheque was presented to (left to right), Our Kenyan Kids Chair Donna McMillan and Past Chair Jan Murray by Rotarian Ray Marshall on Tuesday, February 6. These fund will go towards the purchase of Water Tank Units. Water will be provided for domestic use (cooking and bathing), as well as for home gardens. The foods they grow can be consumed or sold for income.

Rotary Brockville Commits $40,000 to Sherwood Park Manor Redevelopment 

 

Board Chair of the Sherwood Park Manor Ken Durand (left) and Sherwood Park Manor Administrator Alfred O’Rourke (middle, now retired), was presented with the first instalment of $8,000, of the $40,000 pledged, by Rotary Brockville member Doreen Barnes (right). This donation will be used to purchase new beds for the residents. Rotary Brockville is delighted to be able to financially support this important cause for the community.

 

 

 

 

 

Literacy is one of the key areas of focus established by Rotary International.  Rotary Brockville supports this cause by enhancing student literacy skills through a program known as Dictionaries 4 Life.  Under this program, students attending Grade 3 at district elementary schools in Brockville and Prescott receive their very own, beautifully illustrated Dictionary.  In total, over 225 dictionaries will be distributed to our young citizens.  Use of the dictionary by students, promotes books and the printed word.  In addition, one of the more positive aspects of learning to use their dictionary is that the students develop autonomy and confidence, which are core goals for education.  

 

Rotarians involved in the presentations mention that they are impressed by the pride of ownership that is also evident when a student is presented with their very own personal copy to keep.  The students are encouraged to put their name on the dictionary and to use it regularly in their studies.  In the photos above, Rotarians Marilyn Powers (right) and Emily Wimpenny (left) address students at St. Mark's Catholic School in Prescott, Ontario as they present them with their Dictionaries 4 Life.

Brockville Mayor Matt Wren Provides Civic Update

 

At the January 8, 2024 meeting, Brockville Mayor Matt Wren provided an overview of current happenings in Brockville.  Mayor Wren commented on a number of topics highlighting that the City is growing from a number of perspectives.  In his address, the Mayor provided updates in the following areas - the transfer of para-transit to an in-house service, tourism enhancements, building of new developments across the City, focus on addressing homelessness, and tough discussions regarding the capital and operating budgets currently underway.
Rotarian Marla Gilliland presented Mayor Wren with a library book that will be presented in his honour to the Maynard Public School library.

 

Rotary Brockville Donates to Making Play Possible Childrens Mental Health Programming

 

 

 

On Thursday, December 14, Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands President Elect Andrew Kizell (left) presented a
cheque for $2,000 to the Children’s Mental Health Leeds and Grenville, Making Play Possible Coordinator Katelyn Wallis (middle) and Executive Director Lorene Crosbie (right). These funds will go towards Making Play Possible programming for children in Leeds and Grenville.

 

Rotary Brockville Members Tour Hucks Marina and Resort

 

 

 

Rotary Brockville Contributes to United Way Urgent Needs Campaign

 

On behalf of Rotary Brockville, comprising the Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands and the Rotary Club of Brockville, Marla Gilliland, Past - President of the Rotary Club of Brockville (right) presented Interim Executive Director Jane Hess (left) with the inaugural donation of $3,000 to the new Urgent Needs Fund.

 

 

Rotary Brockville Presents $10,000 To Support Maple View Landings Redevelopment Project

 

 

 

On Wednesday December 12, 2023, the Rotary Clubs of Brockville presented a cheque for $10,000 towards the Maple View Landings Redevelopment Project in Athens, Ontario.  
Presenting the cheque was Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands President Craig Hunter (left) to the Maple View Landings Redevelopment Project Chair Doug Struthers.
Operating under the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, this project will provide residents with a state-of-the-art long term care home.
Currently serving 60 residents, upon completion, the new long term care Home will accommodate 192 residents with additional full-time and part-time employment opportunities.

 

 

Rotary Brockville Invests in Youth Programs Sponsored by the YMCA of Eastern Ontario

 

Representing Rotary Brockville, Rotarian Marilyn Powers (left) presented $1,000 to the Chief Executive Officer Rob Adams (middle), and the Director, Regional Operations and Programs Emily Wimpenny
(right), at the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. These funds will go towards programming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cameron Wales shared an insightful and entertaining presentation regarding the Brockville Flying Club.  In particular, he focused on the evolution of flight technology and how the Club continued efforts to remain current to this day.  He also provided an overview of the Fly-In Breakfast plans for this long-standing event that will be held in September 2023.  In the photo above, Cameron (left) receives thanks from the Club for his presentation by Rotarians Marilyn Powers (center) and Guy Wales (right) who happens to be Cameron's father.

 

Jan Risberg (right) presides over the Member Induction Ceremony for Guy Wales (left) who officially joined the Rotary Club of Brockville on Monday July 17, 2023.  Katherine Hobbs (center) introduced Guy to Club members in her role as his sponsor. Guy has extensive volunteer experience supporting many Brockville and area organizations, including the Brockville Operatic Society, CPHC, and Brockville Police Youth art initiatives.  He even acted as a friend of Rotary and volunteered at Rotary Brockville events, prior to becoming a full member.  Welcome Guy - we look forward to building a better world with you! 

 

Cathrine Maskell, a new member of the Rotary Club of Brockville, delivered her Classification Talk at the July 10th, 2023 meeting.  Classification Talks are intended to provide an opportunity for Rotarians to share their experiences and information about their vocational work.  Cathrine was born in Toronto and raised in Brockville, Ontario.  Her father, Bob Maskell, was a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Brockville and her mother was involved extensively in volunteer work throughout the community.  Cathrine originally attended post-secondary school to train as a journalist.  She worked in that field for a number of years before deciding to go back to school to study nursing.  She has primarily worked with people with dementia.  Currently, she is working with the Alzheimer Society Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville.  As part of her presentation, Cathrine encouraged members to work on their brain health by staying social, continually learning new skills, and getting a good night's rest.  Welcome again to the Rotary Club of Brockville Cathrine!

 

 

President Marla Gilliland (2022-23) prepares to adjourn her final Rotary Club of Brockville meeting on June 26th, 2023.  Marla thanked the members for their support and active engagement which made her year as President enjoyable and productive.  Marla will now pass the gavel to incoming President Bruce Leslie (2023-24).  Thank you Marla for your leadership!

 

 

 

 

Corbin Evans and his parents Jennifer and Scott addressed the Rotary Club of Brockville to speak about their involvement with the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl and experiences supporting the organization's efforts in Canada and overseas.  The Evans' have been overseas four times to date and have also acted as host family to orphans coming to Canada during their respite visits to our prosperous nation.

Corbin also shared his many volunteer experiences as he personally adheres to the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.  Corbin was a member of the EarlyAct Club at Vanier Elementary School where they learned the importance of assisting others.  He has also received the Governor General Medal for Volunteerism in the past.  Most recently, Corbin received a Rotary Student Merit Award.  He will be graduating from TISS this year and will be continuing his studies at Carleton University in Ottawa in the Fall.  Rotarian Chris Izatt expressed the thanks of the Club to our guest speakers.  

 

 

Rotary District 7040 District Governor Michel Wong Kee Song and his wife Suzanne attended the June 19th Joint Meeting of Rotary Brockville.  Michel shared his long-standing Rotary journey starting in his home country of Mauritius.  Michel brought his enthusiasm for Rotary to Canada when he joined the Rotary Club of Old Montreal in 1993.  Since then, he has made Rotary a part of his daily life.  He has been extensively involved in various leadership positions at the Club and District level, along with being involved in several humanitarian missions overseas.  He encouraged local Rotarians to continue to make a difference by staying engaged to address local and international needs.  Every good deed assists others to build a better quality of life.  President Marla Gilliland expressed the thanks of the Rotary Club of Brockville to Michel for his inspirational message.

Trillium Health Care Products CEO Joe Ruffo attended the May 29, 2023 meeting of the Rotary Club of Brockville.  He presented an informative overview of the company's development to date and future plans.  Rotarian Chris Izatt expressed the thanks of the Club to Joe for his interesting presentation.

 

 

 

Debbie Price, Death Coach/Secret Keeper, of Open Ears 4 U addresses the Rotary Club of Brockville on May 15, 2023.  

Cathrine Maskell (center) is inducted as the Newest member of the Rotary Club of Brockville on May 15, 2023.  Observing Cathrine's induction are Rotarians Angela Campbell, Marla Gilliland (Club President), Jan Risberg, and Tom Harrington.  Welcome Cathrine!

 

 

Joan Simon, Interim Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation, provided an update to the Rotary Club of Brockville on the Foundation's major fundraising initiatives.  

Rotarian Chris Izatt expressed the Club's thanks to Joan for her timely and insightful presentation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave Shaw - Canadian Aid for Chernobyl

 

 

Matt Wren - Mayor of Brockville

 

Jason Baker (pictured left), sales and marketing representative for Ketchum Manufacturing Inc., visited the Noon Club's meeting on October 1st at the Brockville Country Club, and gave a talk about Ketchum and about the importance of local businesses.

 

Mr. Baker was thanked by Rotarian Dave Keenleyside (pictured right).

 

 

 

Jan Risberg, on behalf of The Rotary Club of Brockville, welcomes new member Bill Maxwell.

 

Bill was previously a Rotarian in the USA.

 

Welcome to the club!

 

 

The Rotary Club of Brockville welcomes its newest member, Bill Maxwell.

 

Bill was previously a Rotarian in the USA.

 

Welcome to the club!

Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."

 

The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.

 

What is it like taking a large team to Africa?  It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.

A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.

For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.

 

After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.